The Reluctant Assassin - Eoin Colfer
Book 1 in the 'WARP Series.' Followed by 'The Hangman's Revolution.'
This at times surprisingly violent young-adult novel begins in Victorian London, where we meet Riley, a stereotypical Victorian street urchin. He has been trained by Albert Garrick, a stage magician and true psychopath, who has turned to the life of an assassin following the on-stage death of his lovely assistant. When we first meet Riley, Garrick is supporting him to attempt his first assassination, something that Riley is understandably a bit reluctant to do (thus the title). However, as the attempt goes sideways, Riley is sucked into a time portal, and emerges in the present day.
Here he meets Chevron 'Chevie' Savano, a 17-year old FBI agent, hired under a now defunct youth programme. Chevie, who was somewhat responsible for the programme being shut down, is impulsive and a bit over-confident, and becomes our second protagonist. She begins introducing Riley to our day, and later, Riley introduces her to the Victorian era, meaning that both characters get the chance to be 'the expert.'
The aforementioned violence comes in the form of Garrick, who begins a time-jumping killing spree as he seeks to understand and control to power of the time portals. A Victorian-era assassin would be an interesting enough antagonist, but Colfer allows Garrick to learn an incredible amount of modern knowledge through an unexpected and slightly gory method. This makes Garrick even more dangerous, particularly when he seeks to use his newfound knowledge to take over the Victorian world.
There are a number of twists and quirky characters (some of whom survive) and the book both resolves well while also leaving a large space available for a sequel.
Colfer is most well-known for the Artemis Fowl series, something I have never read. I remember that series being somewhat controversial for having a super villain child as the star. Seeing the violence in this one, I imagine that could also lead to this series being mildly controversial - though not as much as another YA series I recently encountered for the first time.
Completed 5 May 2024.
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